Using pseudo DSN memory units to handle data in motion within a DSN memory

ABSTRACT

A method for use in a distributed storage network (DSN) includes receiving, by a performance unit, access requests from a distributed storage (DS) processing unit. The access requests identify one or more storage units to which access is requested. The performance unit determines that at least a first storage unit is associated with a status level that fails to satisfy a threshold value associated with the access requests, and that at least a second storage unit is associated with a status level that does satisfy the threshold value. For the at least a first storage unit, the performance unit facilitates execution of an alternative approach to processing an access request corresponding to the first storage unit, and for the at least a second storage unit facilitates execution of a standard approach to processing an access request corresponding to the second storage unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/260,743, entitled “COMMUNICATING DISPERSED STORAGE NETWORK STORAGE UNIT TASK EXECUTION STATUS,” filed Nov. 30, 2015, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and made part of the present U.S. Utility Patent Application for all purposes.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to computer networks and more particularly to dispersing error encoded data.

Description of Related Art

Computing devices are known to communicate data, process data, and/or store data. Such computing devices range from wireless smart phones, laptops, tablets, personal computers (PC), work stations, and video game devices, to data centers that support millions of web searches, stock trades, or on-line purchases every day. In general, a computing device includes a central processing unit (CPU), a memory system, user input/output interfaces, peripheral device interfaces, and an interconnecting bus structure.

As is further known, a computer may effectively extend its CPU by using “cloud computing” to perform one or more computing functions (e.g., a service, an application, an algorithm, an arithmetic logic function, etc.) on behalf of the computer. Further, for large services, applications, and/or functions, cloud computing may be performed by multiple cloud computing resources in a distributed manner to improve the response time for completion of the service, application, and/or function. For example, Hadoop is an open source software framework that supports distributed applications enabling application execution by thousands of computers.

In addition to cloud computing, a computer may use “cloud storage” as part of its memory system. As is known, cloud storage enables a user, via its computer, to store files, applications, etc. on an Internet storage system. The Internet storage system may include a RAID (redundant array of independent disks) system and/or a dispersed storage system that uses an error correction scheme to encode data for storage.

One or more memory units used to implement the dispersed storage system may be offline or slow due to network connection limitations or other conditions. Unfortunately, using conventional techniques to access data using these slow or offline memory units can adversely impact the performance of the system as a whole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a dispersed or distributed storage network (DSN) in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computing core in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an example of dispersed storage error encoding of data in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a generic example of an error encoding function in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a specific example of an error encoding function in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an example of a slice name of an encoded data slice (EDS) in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an example of dispersed storage error decoding of data in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a generic example of an error decoding function in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a dispersed storage network (DSN) in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of optimizing performance of a set of storage units in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a dispersed, or distributed, storage network (DSN) 10 that includes a plurality of computing devices 12-16, a managing unit 18, an integrity processing unit 20, and a DSN memory 22. The components of the DSN 10 are coupled to a network 24, which may include one or more wireless and/or wire lined communication systems; one or more non-public intranet systems and/or public internet systems; and/or one or more local area networks (LAN) and/or wide area networks (WAN).

The DSN memory 22 includes a plurality of storage units 36 that may be located at geographically different sites (e.g., one in Chicago, one in Milwaukee, etc.), at a common site, or a combination thereof. For example, if the DSN memory 22 includes eight storage units 36, each storage unit is located at a different site. As another example, if the DSN memory 22 includes eight storage units 36, all eight storage units are located at the same site. As yet another example, if the DSN memory 22 includes eight storage units 36, a first pair of storage units are at a first common site, a second pair of storage units are at a second common site, a third pair of storage units are at a third common site, and a fourth pair of storage units are at a fourth common site. Note that a DSN memory 22 may include more or less than eight storage units 36. Further note that each storage unit 36 includes a computing core (as shown in FIG. 2, or components thereof) and a plurality of memory devices for storing dispersed error encoded data.

Each of the computing devices 12-16, the managing unit 18, and the integrity processing unit 20 include a computing core 26, which includes network interfaces 30-33. Computing devices 12-16 may each be a portable computing device and/or a fixed computing device. A portable computing device may be a social networking device, a gaming device, a cell phone, a smart phone, a digital assistant, a digital music player, a digital video player, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a tablet, a video game controller, and/or any other portable device that includes a computing core. A fixed computing device may be a computer (PC), a computer server, a cable set-top box, a satellite receiver, a television set, a printer, a fax machine, home entertainment equipment, a video game console, and/or any type of home or office computing equipment. Note that each of the managing unit 18 and the integrity processing unit 20 may be separate computing devices, may be a common computing device, and/or may be integrated into one or more of the computing devices 12-16 and/or into one or more of the storage units 36.

Each interface 30, 32, and 33 includes software and hardware to support one or more communication links via the network 24 indirectly and/or directly. For example, interface 30 supports a communication link (e.g., wired, wireless, direct, via a LAN, via the network 24, etc.) between computing devices 14 and 16. As another example, interface 32 supports communication links (e.g., a wired connection, a wireless connection, a LAN connection, and/or any other type of connection to/from the network 24) between computing devices 12 & 16 and the DSN memory 22. As yet another example, interface 33 supports a communication link for each of the managing unit 18 and the integrity processing unit 20 to the network 24.

Computing devices 12 and 16 include a dispersed storage (DS) client module 34, which enables the computing device to dispersed storage error encode and decode data as subsequently described with reference to one or more of FIGS. 3-8. In this example embodiment, computing device 16 functions as a dispersed storage processing agent for computing device 14. In this role, computing device 16 dispersed storage error encodes and decodes data on behalf of computing device 14. With the use of dispersed storage error encoding and decoding, the DSN 10 is tolerant of a significant number of storage unit failures (the number of failures is based on parameters of the dispersed storage error encoding function) without loss of data and without the need for a redundant or backup copies of the data. Further, the DSN 10 stores data for an indefinite period of time without data loss and in a secure manner (e.g., the system is very resistant to unauthorized attempts at accessing the data).

In operation, the managing unit 18 performs DS management services. For example, the managing unit 18 establishes distributed data storage parameters (e.g., vault creation, distributed storage parameters, security parameters, billing information, user profile information, etc.) for computing devices 12-14 individually or as part of a group of user devices. As a specific example, the managing unit 18 coordinates creation of a vault (e.g., a virtual memory block associated with a portion of an overall namespace of the DSN) within the DSTN memory 22 for a user device, a group of devices, or for public access and establishes per vault dispersed storage (DS) error encoding parameters for a vault. The managing unit 18 facilitates storage of DS error encoding parameters for each vault by updating registry information of the DSN 10, where the registry information may be stored in the DSN memory 22, a computing device 12-16, the managing unit 18, and/or the integrity processing unit 20.

The DSN managing unit 18 creates and stores user profile information (e.g., an access control list (ACL)) in local memory and/or within memory of the DSN memory 22. The user profile information includes authentication information, permissions, and/or the security parameters. The security parameters may include encryption/decryption scheme, one or more encryption keys, key generation scheme, and/or data encoding/decoding scheme.

The DSN managing unit 18 creates billing information for a particular user, a user group, a vault access, public vault access, etc. For instance, the DSTN managing unit 18 tracks the number of times a user accesses a non-public vault and/or public vaults, which can be used to generate a per-access billing information. In another instance, the DSTN managing unit 18 tracks the amount of data stored and/or retrieved by a user device and/or a user group, which can be used to generate a per-data-amount billing information.

As another example, the managing unit 18 performs network operations, network administration, and/or network maintenance. Network operations includes authenticating user data allocation requests (e.g., read and/or write requests), managing creation of vaults, establishing authentication credentials for user devices, adding/deleting components (e.g., user devices, storage units, and/or computing devices with a DS client module 34) to/from the DSN 10, and/or establishing authentication credentials for the storage units 36. Network administration includes monitoring devices and/or units for failures, maintaining vault information, determining device and/or unit activation status, determining device and/or unit loading, and/or determining any other system level operation that affects the performance level of the DSN 10. Network maintenance includes facilitating replacing, upgrading, repairing, and/or expanding a device and/or unit of the DSN 10.

The integrity processing unit 20 performs rebuilding of ‘bad’ or missing encoded data slices. At a high level, the integrity processing unit 20 performs rebuilding by periodically attempting to retrieve/list encoded data slices, and/or slice names of the encoded data slices, from the DSN memory 22. For retrieved encoded slices, they are checked for errors due to data corruption, outdated version, etc. If a slice includes an error, it is flagged as a ‘bad’ slice. For encoded data slices that were not received and/or not listed, they are flagged as missing slices. Bad and/or missing slices are subsequently rebuilt using other retrieved encoded data slices that are deemed to be good slices to produce rebuilt slices. The rebuilt slices are stored in the DSTN memory 22.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computing core 26 that includes a processing module 50, a memory controller 52, main memory 54, a video graphics processing unit 55, an input/output (IO) controller 56, a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) interface 58, an IO interface module 60, at least one IO device interface module 62, a read only memory (ROM) basic input output system (BIOS) 64, and one or more memory interface modules. The one or more memory interface module(s) includes one or more of a universal serial bus (USB) interface module 66, a host bus adapter (HBA) interface module 68, a network interface module 70, a flash interface module 72, a hard drive interface module 74, and a DSN interface module 76.

The DSN interface module 76 functions to mimic a conventional operating system (OS) file system interface (e.g., network file system (NFS), flash file system (FFS), disk file system (DFS), file transfer protocol (FTP), web-based distributed authoring and versioning (WebDAV), etc.) and/or a block memory interface (e.g., small computer system interface (SCSI), internet small computer system interface (iSCSI), etc.). The DSN interface module 76 and/or the network interface module 70 may function as one or more of the interface 30-33 of FIG. 1. Note that the IO device interface module 62 and/or the memory interface modules 66-76 may be collectively or individually referred to as IO ports.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an example of dispersed storage error encoding of data. When a computing device 12 or 16 has data to store it disperse storage error encodes the data in accordance with a dispersed storage error encoding process based on dispersed storage error encoding parameters. The dispersed storage error encoding parameters include an encoding function (e.g., information dispersal algorithm, Reed-Solomon, Cauchy Reed-Solomon, systematic encoding, non-systematic encoding, on-line codes, etc.), a data segmenting protocol (e.g., data segment size, fixed, variable, etc.), and per data segment encoding values. The per data segment encoding values include a total, or pillar width, number (T) of encoded data slices per encoding of a data segment i.e., in a set of encoded data slices); a decode threshold number (D) of encoded data slices of a set of encoded data slices that are needed to recover the data segment; a read threshold number (R) of encoded data slices to indicate a number of encoded data slices per set to be read from storage for decoding of the data segment; and/or a write threshold number (W) to indicate a number of encoded data slices per set that must be accurately stored before the encoded data segment is deemed to have been properly stored. The dispersed storage error encoding parameters may further include slicing information (e.g., the number of encoded data slices that will be created for each data segment) and/or slice security information (e.g., per encoded data slice encryption, compression, integrity checksum, etc.).

In the present example, Cauchy Reed-Solomon has been selected as the encoding function (a generic example is shown in FIG. 4 and a specific example is shown in FIG. 5); the data segmenting protocol is to divide the data object into fixed sized data segments; and the per data segment encoding values include: a pillar width of 5, a decode threshold of 3, a read threshold of 4, and a write threshold of 4. In accordance with the data segmenting protocol, the computing device 12 or 16 divides the data (e.g., a file (e.g., text, video, audio, etc.), a data object, or other data arrangement) into a plurality of fixed sized data segments (e.g., 1 through Y of a fixed size in range of Kilo-bytes to Tera-bytes or more). The number of data segments created is dependent of the size of the data and the data segmenting protocol.

The computing device 12 or 16 then disperse storage error encodes a data segment using the selected encoding function (e.g., Cauchy Reed-Solomon) to produce a set of encoded data slices. FIG. 4 illustrates a generic Cauchy Reed-Solomon encoding function, which includes an encoding matrix (EM), a data matrix (DM), and a coded matrix (CM). The size of the encoding matrix (EM) is dependent on the pillar width number (T) and the decode threshold number (D) of selected per data segment encoding values. To produce the data matrix (DM), the data segment is divided into a plurality of data blocks and the data blocks are arranged into D number of rows with Z data blocks per row. Note that Z is a function of the number of data blocks created from the data segment and the decode threshold number (D). The coded matrix is produced by matrix multiplying the data matrix by the encoding matrix.

FIG. 5 illustrates a specific example of Cauchy Reed-Solomon encoding with a pillar number (T) of five and decode threshold number of three. In this example, a first data segment is divided into twelve data blocks (D1-D12). The coded matrix includes five rows of coded data blocks, where the first row of X11-X14 corresponds to a first encoded data slice (EDS 1_1), the second row of X21-X24 corresponds to a second encoded data slice (EDS 2_1), the third row of X31-X34 corresponds to a third encoded data slice (EDS 3_1), the fourth row of X41-X44 corresponds to a fourth encoded data slice (EDS 4_1), and the fifth row of X51-X54 corresponds to a fifth encoded data slice (EDS 5_1). Note that the second number of the EDS designation corresponds to the data segment number.

Returning to the discussion of FIG. 3, the computing device also creates a slice name (SN) for each encoded data slice (EDS) in the set of encoded data slices. A typical format for a slice name 60 is shown in FIG. 6. As shown, the slice name (SN) 60 includes a pillar number of the encoded data slice (e.g., one of 1−T), a data segment number (e.g., one of 1−Y), a vault identifier (ID), a data object identifier (ID), and may further include revision level information of the encoded data slices. The slice name functions as, at least part of, a DSN address for the encoded data slice for storage and retrieval from the DSN memory 22.

As a result of encoding, the computing device 12 or 16 produces a plurality of sets of encoded data slices, which are provided with their respective slice names to the storage units for storage. As shown, the first set of encoded data slices includes EDS 1_1 through EDS 5_1 and the first set of slice names includes SN 1_1 through SN 5_1 and the last set of encoded data slices includes EDS 1_Y through EDS 5_Y and the last set of slice names includes SN 1_Y through SN 5_Y.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an example of dispersed storage error decoding of a data object that was dispersed storage error encoded and stored in the example of FIG. 4. In this example, the computing device 12 or 16 retrieves from the storage units at least the decode threshold number of encoded data slices per data segment. As a specific example, the computing device retrieves a read threshold number of encoded data slices.

To recover a data segment from a decode threshold number of encoded data slices, the computing device uses a decoding function as shown in FIG. 8. As shown, the decoding function is essentially an inverse of the encoding function of FIG. 4. The coded matrix includes a decode threshold number of rows (e.g., three in this example) and the decoding matrix in an inversion of the encoding matrix that includes the corresponding rows of the coded matrix. For example, if the coded matrix includes rows 1, 2, and 4, the encoding matrix is reduced to rows 1, 2, and 4, and then inverted to produce the decoding matrix.

Referring next to FIGS. 9 and 10, various embodiments employing one or more pseudo DSN memory unit, sometimes referred to herein as a “performance unit” to handle data in motion within a DSN memory will be discussed. One or more high available and reliable “pseudo” DS units, for example a distributed storage and task (DST) processing unit, or a DST execution/storage unit are deployed within a DSN memory, to be used when the “real” ds units are offline or are slow due to network connection limitations or other conditions. These “pseudo” DS units are capable of understanding DSN network protocol, but have minimal ability to store data, and act primarily as either forwarding or loopback agents with the introduction of some desired latency in the data forwarding or loopback operation, using store and forward principles. The “pseudo” DS units can act as queues for multiple real ds units, using real DSN memory unit ID or address to hash into a unique non-reserved TCP port on the “pseudo” ds unit. The “pseudo” ds units behave just like real ds units in all aspects of protocol negotiation and data transfer, but not in storage of the data. They may, for instance, return ErrorResponses to all WriteRequests received, and empty read and listing responses.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a dispersed storage network (DSN) that includes the computing device 16 of FIG. 1, the network 24 of FIG. 1, a performance unit 91, and a set of storage units 1-n. The performance unit 91 may be implemented utilizing one or more of the computing device 16, a distributed storage and task (DST) execution unit, a server, and a user device. Each storage unit may be implemented utilizing the a DST execution unit, such as storage unit 36 of FIG. 1. The performance unit 91 includes processing module 84 and memory 88. The DSN functions to optimize performance of the set of storage units 1-n. Computing device 16 is sometimes referred to herein as a DS processing unit, or a distributed storage and task (DST) processing unit.

In an example of operation of the optimizing of the performance of the set of storage units, the performance unit 91 receives access requests 1-n from the computing device 16 for one or more storage units of the set of storage units. The receiving includes receiving an access request Internet protocol (IP) message, matching and IP address of the IP message to the IP address for a storage unit of the one or more storage units, and indicating the match. Having received the access request, for each of the one or more storage units, the performance unit 91 determines a storage unit status level. The status level includes one or more of a performance level, an available storage capacity level, a utilize storage capacity level, etc. The determining includes one or more of interpreting a query response, interpreting a test result, and receiving status information that includes the status level. For example, the performance unit 91 receives, via the network 24, status information from the storage unit 2 indicating that the storage unit 2 is underperforming with respect to other storage units of the set of storage units.

When the storage unit status level compares unfavorably to a storage unit status of level, the performance unit 91 facilitates execution of an alternative approach to processing a corresponding received access request. The facilitating includes indicating to utilize the alternative approach when the storage unit status level is less than the storage unit status threshold level, temporarily storing a received slice in the memory 88 when the access request is a write request, issuing a forwarded access request to the corresponding storage unit (e.g., forwarded access request 2 sent to storage units 2), where the request includes the received slice, and issuing a composite access response 2 to the computing device 16, where the response indicates that the slice has been stored; attempting to retrieve a temporarily stored slice from the memory 88 when the request is a read request and/or recovering the corresponding slice from an associated storage unit (e.g., send a forwarded access request 2 to the corresponding storage unit 2, receiving access response 2 from the storage unit 2 that includes a retrieved slice), and issuing another composite access response 2 to the computing device 16, where the response includes the retrieved slice (e.g., from either the memory 88 or from the storage unit 2).

When the storage unit status level compares favorably to the storage unit status threshold level, the performance unit 91 facilitates execution of a standard approach to process the corresponding received access request. The facilitating includes sending the access request as a forwarded access request to the corresponding storage unit, receiving access responses from the storage units, and issuing a composite access response to the computing device 16 that includes the access response from the storage units. For example, the processing module 84 of the performance unit 91 sends, via the network 24, forwarded access requests 1, 3-n the storage units 1, 3-n, receives access responses 1, 3-n from the storage units 1, 3-n, generates composite access responses 1, 3-n, and sends, via the network 24, the composite access responses 1, 3-n to the computing device 16.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of optimizing performance of a set of storage units. The method includes block 93, where a processing module (e.g., of a performance unit) receives access requests for one or more storage units of a set of storage units. The receiving includes receiving an access request Internet protocol (IP) message and matching an IP address of the IP message to an IP address for a storage unit of the one or more storage units.

For each of the one or more storage units, the method continues at block 94, where the processing module determines a storage unit status level. The determining includes at least one of interpreting a query response, interpreting a test result, and receiving status information that includes the status level. When the storage unit status level compares favorably to a storage unit status threshold level, the method branches to the step where the processing module facilitates execution of a standard approach. When the storage unit status level compares unfavorably to the storage unit status social level, the method continues to the next step.

When the storage unit status level compares unfavorably to the storage unit status threshold level, the method continues at block 95 where the processing module facilitates execution of an alternative approach to processing a corresponding received access request. The facilitating includes one or more of indicating to utilize the alternative approach when the storage unit status level is less than the storage unit status threshold level, temporarily storing a received slice in a local memory when the access request is a write request, issuing a forwarded access request to the corresponding storage unit, where the forwarded access request includes the received slice, and issuing a composite access response to a requesting entity, where the composite access response indicates that the slice has been stored. When the request is a read request, the facilitating includes attempting to retrieve a temporarily stored slice from at least one of a local memory and by a sending the forwarded access requests to the corresponding storage unit and receiving an access response from the storage unit that includes a retrieved slice, and issuing a composite access response to the requesting entity, where the composite access response includes the retrieved slice.

When the storage unit status level compares favorably to the storage unit status threshold level, the method continues at block 96 where the processing module facilitates execution of a standard approach to processing the corresponding received access request. The facilitating includes sending the access request as a forwarded access request to the corresponding storage unit, receiving an access response from the storage unit, and issuing a composite access response to the requesting entity that includes the access response from the storage unit.

It is noted that terminologies as may be used herein such as bit stream, stream, signal sequence, etc. (or their equivalents) have been used interchangeably to describe digital information whose content corresponds to any of a number of desired types (e.g., data, video, speech, audio, etc. any of which may generally be referred to as ‘data’).

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately” provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding term and/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted tolerance ranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to, but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit process variations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermal noise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a few percent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, the term(s) “configured to”, “operably coupled to”, “coupled to”, and/or “coupling” includes direct coupling between items and/or indirect coupling between items via an intervening item (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, a component, an element, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for an example of indirect coupling, the intervening item does not modify the information of a signal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level. As may further be used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another element by inference) includes direct and indirect coupling between two items in the same manner as “coupled to”. As may even further be used herein, the term “configured to”, “operable to”, “coupled to”, or “operably coupled to” indicates that an item includes one or more of power connections, input(s), output(s), etc., to perform, when activated, one or more its corresponding functions and may further include inferred coupling to one or more other items. As may still further be used herein, the term “associated with”, includes direct and/or indirect coupling of separate items and/or one item being embedded within another item.

As may be used herein, the term “compares favorably”, indicates that a comparison between two or more items, signals, etc., provides a desired relationship. For example, when the desired relationship is that signal 1 has a greater magnitude than signal 2, a favorable comparison may be achieved when the magnitude of signal 1 is greater than that of signal 2 or when the magnitude of signal 2 is less than that of signal 1. As may be used herein, the term “compares unfavorably”, indicates that a comparison between two or more items, signals, etc., fails to provide the desired relationship.

As may also be used herein, the terms “processing module”, “processing circuit”, “processor”, and/or “processing unit” may be a single processing device or a plurality of processing devices. Such a processing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on hard coding of the circuitry and/or operational instructions. The processing module, module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit may be, or further include, memory and/or an integrated memory element, which may be a single memory device, a plurality of memory devices, and/or embedded circuitry of another processing module, module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note that if the processing module, module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit includes more than one processing device, the processing devices may be centrally located (e.g., directly coupled together via a wired and/or wireless bus structure) or may be distributedly located (e.g., cloud computing via indirect coupling via a local area network and/or a wide area network). Further note that if the processing module, module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit implements one or more of its functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the memory and/or memory element storing the corresponding operational instructions may be embedded within, or external to, the circuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry. Still further note that, the memory element may store, and the processing module, module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit executes, hard coded and/or operational instructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and/or functions illustrated in one or more of the Figures. Such a memory device or memory element can be included in an article of manufacture.

One or more embodiments have been described above with the aid of method steps illustrating the performance of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functional building blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined herein for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships are appropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claims. Further, the boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the certain significant functions are appropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocks may also have been arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certain significant functionality.

To the extent used, the flow diagram block boundaries and sequence could have been defined otherwise and still perform the certain significant functionality. Such alternate definitions of both functional building blocks and flow diagram blocks and sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claims. One of average skill in the art will also recognize that the functional building blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules and components herein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discrete components, application specific integrated circuits, processors executing appropriate software and the like or any combination thereof.

In addition, a flow diagram may include a “start” and/or “continue” indication. The “start” and “continue” indications reflect that the steps presented can optionally be incorporated in or otherwise used in conjunction with other routines. In this context, “start” indicates the beginning of the first step presented and may be preceded by other activities not specifically shown. Further, the “continue” indication reflects that the steps presented may be performed multiple times and/or may be succeeded by other activities not specifically shown. Further, while a flow diagram indicates a particular ordering of steps, other orderings are likewise possible provided that the principles of causality are maintained.

The one or more embodiments are used herein to illustrate one or more aspects, one or more features, one or more concepts, and/or one or more examples. A physical embodiment of an apparatus, an article of manufacture, a machine, and/or of a process may include one or more of the aspects, features, concepts, examples, etc. described with reference to one or more of the embodiments discussed herein. Further, from figure to figure, the embodiments may incorporate the same or similarly named functions, steps, modules, etc. that may use the same or different reference numbers and, as such, the functions, steps, modules, etc. may be the same or similar functions, steps, modules, etc. or different ones.

Unless specifically stated to the contrary, signals to, from, and/or between elements in a figure of any of the figures presented herein may be analog or digital, continuous time or discrete time, and single-ended or differential. For instance, if a signal path is shown as a single-ended path, it also represents a differential signal path. Similarly, if a signal path is shown as a differential path, it also represents a single-ended signal path. While one or more particular architectures are described herein, other architectures can likewise be implemented that use one or more data buses not expressly shown, direct connectivity between elements, and/or indirect coupling between other elements as recognized by one of average skill in the art.

The term “module” is used in the description of one or more of the embodiments. A module implements one or more functions via a device such as a processor or other processing device or other hardware that may include or operate in association with a memory that stores operational instructions. A module may operate independently and/or in conjunction with software and/or firmware. As also used herein, a module may contain one or more sub-modules, each of which may be one or more modules.

As may further be used herein, a computer readable memory includes one or more memory elements. A memory element may be a separate memory device, multiple memory devices, or a set of memory locations within a memory device. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any device that stores digital information. The memory device may be in a form a solid state memory, a hard drive memory, cloud memory, thumb drive, server memory, computing device memory, and/or other physical medium for storing digital information.

While particular combinations of various functions and features of the one or more embodiments have been expressly described herein, other combinations of these features and functions are likewise possible. The present disclosure is not limited by the particular examples disclosed herein and expressly incorporates these other combinations. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for use in a distributed storage network (DSN) including a plurality of storage units and a distributed storage (DS) processing unit, the method comprising: receiving, by a performance unit including a processor and a local memory, write requests from the DS processing unit, the write requests identifying one or more of the plurality of storage units to which data is to be written, the write requests including received slices to be stored in the one or more of the plurality of storage units; determining, by the performance unit, that: at least a first storage unit of the one or more of the plurality of storage units is associated with a status level that fails to satisfy a threshold value associated with the write requests; at least a second storage unit of the one or more of the plurality of storage units is associated with a status level that satisfies the threshold value associated with the write requests; for the at least a first storage unit, the performance unit facilitating execution of an alternative approach to processing a write request corresponding to the at least a first storage unit, wherein the alternative approach includes: forwarding the write request from the performance unit to the at least a first storage unit; at least temporarily storing a received slice in the local memory of the performance unit; issuing a first composite access response from the performance unit, the first composite access response indicating successful completion of the write request corresponding to the at least a first storage unit, even though the write request has not yet been successfully completed by storing the received slice in the a storage unit identified by the write request; for the at least a second storage unit, the performance unit facilitating execution of a standard approach to processing a write request corresponding to the at least a second storage unit, wherein the standard approach includes: forwarding the write request from the performance unit to the at least the second storage unit; and issuing a second composite access-response from the performance unit, the second composite access response indicating successful completion of the write request corresponding to the at least a second storage unit, the second composite access response issued based on receiving, from the at least a second storage unit, a reply indicating successful completion of the write request corresponding to the at least a second storage unit.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein facilitating execution of the alternative approach includes: issuing a forwarded write request to the at least a first storage unit, wherein the forwarded write request includes the received slice temporarily stored in the local memory.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein facilitating execution of the alternative approach includes: issuing a composite access response to the DS processing unit, the composite access response including information associated with the at least a first storage unit and the at least a second storage unit.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein facilitating execution of the alternative approach includes: retrieving a temporarily stored slice from the local memory of the performance unit when an access request is a read request intended for the first storage unit.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein facilitating execution of the standard approach includes: sending an access request as a forwarded access request to the at least a second storage unit; and receiving an access response from the at least a second storage unit.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein facilitating execution of the standard approach includes: issuing a composite access response to the DS processing unit, wherein the composite access response includes an access response from the at least a second storage unit.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, by the performance unit from the DS processing unit, a read request identifying a particular storage unit from which a slice is to be read; determining, by the performance unit, that the slice to be read has not yet been stored to the particular storage unit, but is still stored in the local memory of the performance unit; and the performance unit responding to the read request by: retrieving the particular slice to be read from the local memory, instead of from the particular storage; and issuing a second composite access response including the particular slice to be read.
 8. A non-transitory computer readable medium tangibly embodying a program of computer executable instructions, the program of computer executable instructions including: at least one instruction to receive, by a performance unit including a processor and a local memory, write requests from a DS processing unit included in a distributed storage network (DSN), the write requests identifying one or more of a plurality of storage units, also included in the DSN, to which data is to be written, the write requests including received slices to be stored in the one or more of the plurality of storage units; at least one instruction to determine, by the performance unit, that: at least a first storage unit of the one or more of the plurality of storage units is associated with a status level that fails to satisfy a threshold value associated with the write requests; at least a second storage unit of the one or more of the plurality of storage units is associated with a status level that satisfies the threshold value associated with the write requests; at least one instruction, to be executed by the performance unit, to facilitate execution of an alternative approach to processing a write request intended for the at least a first storage unit, wherein the alternative approach includes: forwarding the write request to the at least a first storage unit; at least temporarily storing a received slice in the local memory of the performance unit; issuing a first composite access response indicating successful completion of the write request corresponding to the at least a first storage unit, even though the write request has not yet been successfully completed by storing the received slice in the a storage unit identified by the write request; at least one instruction, to be executed by the performance unit, to facilitate execution of a standard approach to processing a write request intended for the at least a second storage unit, wherein the standard approach includes: forwarding the write request to the at least the second storage unit; and issuing a second composite access response indicating successful completion of the write request corresponding to the at least a second storage unit, the second composite access response issued based on receiving, from the at least a second storage unit, a reply indicating successful completion of the write request corresponding to the at least a second storage unit.
 9. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the at least one instruction to facilitate execution of the alternative approach includes: at least one instruction to issue a forwarded write request to the at least a first storage unit, wherein the forwarded write request includes the received slice temporarily stored in the local memory.
 10. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the at least one instruction to facilitate execution of the alternative approach includes: at least one instruction to issue a composite access response to the DS processing unit, the composite access response including information associated with the at least a first storage unit and the at least a second storage unit.
 11. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the at least one instruction to facilitate execution of the alternative approach includes: at least one instruction to retrieve a temporarily stored slice from the local memory of the performance unit when an access request is a read request intended for the first storage unit.
 12. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the at least one instruction to facilitate execution of the alternative approach includes: at least one instruction to send an access request as a forwarded access request to the at least a second storage unit; and at least one instruction to receive an access response from the at least a second storage unit.
 13. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 12, wherein the at least one instruction to facilitate execution of the standard approach includes: at least one instruction to issue a composite access response to the DS processing unit, wherein the composite access response includes an access response from the at least a second storage unit.
 14. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 8, further comprising: at least one instruction to receive, by the performance unit from the DS processing unit, a read request identifying a particular storage unit from which a slice is to be read; at least one instruction to determine, by the performance unit, that the slice to be read has not yet been stored to the particular storage unit, but is still stored in the local memory of the performance unit; and at least one instruction causing the performance unit to respond to the read request by: retrieving the particular slice to be read from the local memory, instead of from the particular storage; and issuing a second composite access response including the particular slice to be read.
 15. A processing device included in a distributed storage network (DSN) including a distributed storage (DS) processing unit and a plurality of storage units, the processing device configured to implement a performance unit comprising: a processing module; memory coupled to the processing module and configured to store a program of computer executable instructions, the program of computer executable instructions including: at least one instruction to receive write requests from the DS processing unit, the write requests identifying one or more of the plurality of storage units to which data is to be written, the write requests including received slices to be stored in the one or more of the plurality of storage units; at least one instruction to determine that: at least a first storage unit of the one or more of the plurality of storage units is associated with a status level that fails to satisfy a threshold value associated with the write requests; at least a second storage unit of the one or more of the plurality of storage units is associated with a status level that satisfies the threshold value associated with the write requests; at least one instruction to facilitate execution of an alternative approach to processing a write request intended for the at least a first storage unit, wherein the alternative approach includes: forwarding the write request to the at least a first storage unit; temporarily storing a received slice in a local memory of the performance unit; issuing a first composite access response indicating successful completion of the write request corresponding to the at least a first storage unit, even though the write request has not yet been successfully completed by storing the received slice in the a storage unit identified by the write request at least one instruction to facilitate execution of a standard approach to processing a write request intended for the at least a second storage unit, wherein the standard approach includes: forwarding the write request to the at least the second storage unit; and issuing a second composite access response indicating successful completion of the write request corresponding to the at least a second storage unit, the second composite access response issued based on receiving, from the at least a second storage unit, a reply indicating successful completion of the write request corresponding to the at least a second storage unit.
 16. The processing device of claim 15, wherein the at least one instruction to facilitate execution of the alternative approach includes: at least one instruction to issue a forwarded write request to the at least a first storage unit, wherein the forwarded write request includes the received slice temporarily stored in the local memory.
 17. The processing device of claim 15, wherein the at least one instruction to facilitate execution of the alternative approach includes: at least one instruction to issue a composite access response to the DS processing unit, the composite access response including information associated with the at least a first storage unit and the at least a second storage unit.
 18. The processing device of claim 15, wherein the at least one instruction to facilitate execution of the alternative approach includes: at least one instruction to retrieve a temporarily stored slice from a local memory of the performance unit when an access request is a read request intended for the first storage unit.
 19. The processing device of claim 15, wherein the at least one instruction to facilitate execution of the alternative approach includes: at least one instruction to send an access request as a forwarded access request to the at least a second storage unit; at least one instruction to receive an access response from the at least a second storage unit; and at least one instruction to issue a composite access response to the DS processing unit, wherein the composite access response includes an access response from the at least a second storage unit.
 20. The processing device of claim 15, further comprising: at least one instruction to receive, by the performance unit from the DS processing unit, a read request identifying a particular storage unit from which a slice is to be read; at least one instruction to determine, by the performance unit, that the slice to be read has not yet been stored to the particular storage unit, but is still stored in the local memory of the performance unit; and at least one instruction causing the performance unit to respond to the read request by: retrieving the particular slice to be read from the local memory, instead of from the particular storage; and issuing a second composite access response including the particular slice to be read. 